SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Bulldogs always try to use their own Sikeston Twilight Relays as a gauge at how well the team is progressing at the midpoint of the track and field season.

The Bulldogs boys captured first place medals in seven of the boys events while the girls team won gold medals in five events in the 10-team field on Friday at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.

"I thought it was a pretty good day for us," Sikeston coach Terry Flannigan said. "Our girls ran well and our boys ran well. We shaved time, which we've been trying to achieve and we did it today in a large clump."

Both teams were at their best on the track, improving on season-best times in every race.

Sikeston's three boys and girls speed relays improved in every race. The boys team won the 4 x 200 (1:30.52) and the 4 x 400 (3:33) and were nipped by Poplar Bluff in the 4 x 100, but still improved their time to 43.22.

"That's two and a half seconds off both relays," Flannigan said. "We're starting to get a few mechanics down. We made a few minor changes and it's paying off. In the 4 x 400 we shaved two and a half seconds off our best time there too.

The girls won the 4 x 200 (1:50.53), running a season-best time, and were second in the 4 x 100 (52.89).

In the open events, Poplar Bluff's Nick Pattillo won the 100 meter dash with an impressive time of 10.59. Sikeston's Steven Baker medaled with a third place time of 11.17.

In the mile run, Scott City's Brandon Shemonia took first place with a time of 4:34. Sikeston's Alan Lowe also medaled, taking third with a time of 5:02.

The Sikeston field events took first place in the long, triple and high jumps. Kyland Gross won the high jump with a leap of 5-10.

On the girls side, Sikeston's Jalen Peet won the long jump with a leap of 16-0 1/2. Betsy Borgsmiller won the high jump at 5-2.

"Our jumpers are a little tired right now -- their legs are tired because they're getting ready for their all-star basketball thing and I understand that," Flannigan said. "We've just got to get through this and our legs will start coming back."

Dexter's Chandler Crowley captured first place in the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 18.10.

"Bluff the last couple meets ate us up a little bit in the speed relays, so we're closing the gap a little bit on them," Flannigan said. "It gives us a little show of our talent and our kids like competing against people right around here for bragging rights."